HOTSEAT FOR MANOY CLARO / CALOY…ika naman po! (Sept. 4 – Sept. 11)

From Noy Mikey:
Manoy, ma unga man tabi ako: Here’s my Saudi related questions:

(1) Out of 25 years digdi Saudi. Pirang kompanya na kan pinasukan mo?- I started with the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Interior and his son’s company in Riyadh, then with a private firm in Al-Khobar, and two banks (bale 4 entities).
(2) Aside from Riyadh, sadin parte pa nin Saudi ka na-assign pa?- Central region then to Eastern then back to Central region

(3) Working in Saudi Arabia is like working in United Nations. If given a choice, arin man tabing nationality ang pinaka ayaw mong maka-trabaho? (sows ba-ad may maka hiling/sabot ka ini Mikey, I will send you a private message on this)

(4) Sa hiling mo, how many more years before Saudis could finally stand with their own feet? I mean to fully implement this Saudization Program by the government? Five to ten years – kaya lang full blast dapat an saindang technical and vocational trainings, hand in hand with medical curriculum offered right away sa citizenry. Actually, if they tap their women’s capabilities, it is a potent working force.

(5) Sa mga Royale Family na meron ministerial position, sisay tabi ang masabi mo igwa nin outstanding credibility for that position? Prince Faisal kan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (he has always carried that diplomatic flair magnificently. actually garo siya ang think-tank kan gobierno, hona-hona ko lang ini)

(6) You cited duman sa answer mo ki Sister Wonder Woman na we don’t usually get mugged in the streets of Saudi unlike sa ibang big cities. In your observation, is their harsh punishment particularly the death penalty helps minimize crimes in this country? Definitely, yes (Shariah laws)

(7) What are the special or good characteristics (if there is any) ng mga Saudis na you wish na ma adapt natin mga Pinoy specially su mga nagta-trabaho digdi? Their fear of God and the law ( of course igua man dyan ki mga bad elements ). Saudis are generally polite and courteous.

(8) As we go around, nahiling ta na igwa nin Pinoy workers sa halos lahat ng field: be it medical, finance, marketing, sales and specially sa mga technical areas. But did you notice na few Pinoys holds higher position? Do you think discrimination is one of the reasons or it is just Pinoys lack management skills? The Pinoys I know who have top-notch positionsdo not make a lot of noise digdi sa Riyadhbut doing great, however, tama ang sabi mo, dikit lang an kababayan tang nasa top management, compared to Pakistanis and Indians. I asked the same question myself and I found the answer: We do not want to stay here forever, I mean, the culture is totally different from ours and because of this, okay na sa kadaklan kan Pinoy na na sa middle sana sinda kan management hierachy (ta madali lang ngane humali, ta digdi baga Noy Mikey, madali ka sanang mag apply ni trabaho pasiring sa Europa and Amerika, lalo na sa medical and IT fields). The Pakistanis, the Indians and other Arab countries, consider Saudi Arabia as a second home, due ngane sa shared-religion. The Saudis know this fact na dae ngane minatagal ang Pinoy sa sarong lugar, ta pag may nahilingkitang bakong maray (example, padalagan, sueldohan and other benefits) dae na buelta….kaya they dont offer managerial positions to us, ta mahali man lang kita, sayang man kan saindang investment. Eh ang ibang lahi, matyaga, na maski ba’kong marhay su working environment, they stick around, hence, they rose from the ranks. Yet, recently there has been an exodus of top Pakistanis and Indians leaving Saudi Arabia for other European/American/South Africa postings (at least in the banking industry, its happening). Palan, since the construction boom, we have been here as either plain workers, nurses, nursing aids, domestic helpers, executive assistants, IT specialists, barbers, merchandisers, customer-service staff, engineers, architects. Palan, one thing I noted, the Indians and Pakistanis who are in the higher management are with MIT, Harvard, Princeton, Oxford, Cambridge degrees ( masterals and doctorates pa ) and sadly, I have not encountered any Pinoy na may Harvard Ph.D. digdi.

(9) If application for Saudi citizenship does not force individual to convert into their religion and any other things, would you apply for this citizenship? Surprisingly, I have managed to stay here this long (running 26th), however, their distinct culture and tradition is still something I am trying to understand. If I can manage that, yes I would apply ta they have a good social security system (other than the harsh summer months). Palan, one has to be proficient with Arabic. This would help one’s assimiliation.

(10) If marrying a Saudi woman does not force individual to convert into their religion and any other things, would you marry a Saudi Woman? Why not? Saudi women are one of the most beautiful girls I have seen in my life and they are beginning to get themselves recognized. We have them now in banks and others are following (hiring them) e.g. Kingdom Holdings, Olayan Investment House, research centers….They could actually replace expatriates, say in the fields of science, technology, medical research…. It would beintersting tohave a Saudi woman as a wife.

Ay iu palan Manay, dahil nasa Saudi si Manoy su necklace na arog kan piggagamit kan mga araba ang dapat itao, with matching bangles pa na hanggang siko.

Mas lalong dai na makabuhi kapag 22K gold necklace ang regalo. Baco lang dai na makabuhi, hawak pa sa leeg!(Joke lang po!)

Pamahiin baga. Sabi kan mga gurang, dai magregalo ki panyo sa GF/BF ta bacong maogma ang pag-ibahan (pirmi lang maghihibi).
Ang dapat daa Sinturon nganing dai na makabuhi! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Noy Jeric, is that true??? hahahahha, I never thought of that. Pero gayud Noy Jeric, seguro dae sana akong suerte

First gift from your sweetheart: a pair of hankies
Kaya siguro dai kamo nagkaluwusan.

from noy tolhits:
Greatest Achievement in Life: its a daily (continuing) struggle, though I would say, passing UP entrance exam was an achievement.Dreams and Aspirations: hmmmm, garo masurat ako ki sarong libro pa’no ki estorya about bikol life, scenarios…. and most important- maka sakat ako sa langitMotto in Life: the sun also shines on the wicked, so move on!!!YourGoBicol Crushes: I can’t tell ta have not seen all of us personally. right now, an gosgos dae nang crushes, crashes na sana baga Noy tolhits.
yan tapos na ang scrapbook hahahahahaha.